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MP3 gypsyfly - Labeled
5 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Punk, POP: Power Pop
Details:
Gypsy Fly is:
Tommy2K - Lead vocals, Guitars
Ash - Drums
Jimmy James - Bass
Tommy (T2K) and Dave (Ash) Hultsch are the only original members left. So let''s start there. The brothers were raised by musicians. Their parents, Jerry and Charlene had met each other while teaching piano and organ. Keeping music in the family, it wasn''t uncommon for Jerry to keep the brothers up late listening to records such as the Bee Gee''s and The Doobie Brothers, etc. One Christmas, Tom and Dave''s grandparents bought them both guitars. This is where Tom and Ash remember getting their musical start. (Dave later went on to pick up the drums.)
Gypsy Fly, a name that was suggested as a Cutis Mayfield / Jimi Hendrix reference, first got started while the brothers were in high school. Tommy 2K met a number of local musicians in an art class and after kicking around the idea of forming a band group practices were started. It was at this time that the Hultsch brothers were introduced by a friend named Ralph to singer/songwriter Troy Thompson. When Troy joined them at practice, everyone hit it off with him right away. In the months that followed, the band was shed down to Tommy 2K on guitars, Ash on drums and Troy on lead vocals and guitars. They were a trio that shared vision, a solid work ethic and a general love for music. Gypsy Fly was born.
Now fast forward to 1998.............................
Through hard work and practice, the band started to gain momentum. They picked up a bass player named Zach and started recording and playing shows. It was at this time that the band was featured on the Jenny Jones Show, the Metro and local Tower Records stores to promote their self-produced EP titled "Five Minutes." A local Chicago DJ named James Van Osdol (94.7 The Zone) took notice of Gypsy Fly and began giving the band limited radio airplay. As the band was recording their first full-length album "Pink Lavender," bassist Zach informed the band that he was leaving Gypsy Fly for personal reasons as soon as the bass recordings were finished. Though devastated, Tommy 2K, Ash and Troy finished the album alone. Pink Lavender was later released independently and sold nationwide through Tower Records and https://www.tradebit.com.
During that summer, while licking their wounds, Gypsy Fly caught a much-needed break. While working as janitors at a local health club, the Hultsch brothers met a booking contact who offered the band a spot on the 2002 Vans Warped Tour. After a live audition (and without a bass player) they landed the slot. Through mutual friends they were able to bring in a new bass player within one week of the show. They rehearsed with him every day up to the gig and they nailed it.
As Pink Lavender was being released later that winter, promotional gigs were being scheduled. The band needed to find a full time bassist. With only two weeks to spare before the first show, they picked up local bass player Jimmy James to play for an in-store performance at a local Tower Records. Only days before the gig, the band received a phone call offering them a slot at the House of Blues (Chicago). They took the opportunity and nailed both performances. J. James was now a full time member of the band. "Jimmy was a perfect fit and the best player with the best attitude" -T2K.
That year the band went on to play many shows including the 2003 Vans Warped Tour and the Metro again, this time as the headliner. The band chose this show to shoot footage for a music video for the Pink Lavender single, "Pop Song." Gypsy Fly promoted this show more than any other, even to the extent of renting a bus to bring fans to the show. As the summer closed, Gypsy Fly received more airplay from James Van Osdol (94.7 The Zone).
After a long 6 months and with the addition of Jimmy James, the band decided it was time to start working on a new album. At the start, it was a very productive time for Troy and Tommy, each writing an estimated 30 new songs a piece. Tommy took this time to set up a home studio so that the band would have the ability to engineer, mix and master their own recordings. Having developed a reputation for great live performances, the band agreed it was time to capture that energy on a record. It was at this time that Troy Thompson, to the shock of band mates, expressed a desire to leave Gypsy Fly. However, Tommy and Ash were able to reason with him and he reconsidered. Rehearsals were underway and recording had begun.
Over the next year and a half, very little was accomplished musically. It was a trying year for everyone. As the band debuted a new single titled "Disappear" on 94.7 The Zone, Troy Thompson again expressed that he wanted to leave the band. After seven years with Gypsy Fly, Troy did indeed leave for musical and personal reasons.
"It was unexpected and really hurtful, but the show must go on and we won''t be stopped," -Tommy 2K.
With a new single on the radio and spring shows already lined up, this news was a complete disaster for the band. However, the Hultsch brothers, who each don the name "Gypsy Fly" tattooed on their chest and arms were not about to give up like many others that had come before them. All they had wanted from the beginning was this one dream and they were resolved to see it through.
"When the wheels keep coming off and you''re the one driving the wagon, sometimes it''s more productive to get out and walk." -Ash.
Tommy as Dave were able to turn on a dime and take what seemed like a crushing blow to the band and turn it into a motivation to work harder than ever. However, Jimmy James was not as optimistic.
"During that tough year my moral had been really low and when Troy quit, I took it as a knock out punch. Tom and Ash were able to show me that the heartbeat of this band does not lie with one member alone. It is divided among us equally and when one part shuts down, the rest of us have to step up to fill the void" -J. James.
As it stands, Gypsy Fly has been reborn with more determination and focus then ever before. The future is bright as are the smiles on the faces of the remaining band members. The trials and mixed emotions that have drained the joy and life out of the band for the past 2 years have been harnessed and will be chronicled in the new album (release date anticipated later this year).
We are Tommy 2K, Jimmy James and Ash.
We are Gypsy Fly.
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